Tulipa rhodopea
Tulipa rhodopea (Velen.) Velen.
Liliaceae – Lily family
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v)]. IUCN(V), BDA. Bulgarian endemic.
Morphology and biology. Perennial herb. Bulbs ovoid, with reddish brown tunics. Stems 25–45 cm, erect, glabrous, leafy. Leaves 3–4, elliptic-lanceolate, undulate, glaucous. Perianth-segments 3–7 × 1.5–3.5 cm, obovate, acute or subacute at apex, red (somewhat dark), pruinose on the outer face, with a black basal blotch inside, surrounded by a narrow yellow band. Capsule ovoid, about 3 cm long. Fl. IV–V, fr. VI–VI. Reproduction by seeds and bulbs.
Habitats and populations. Dry, rocky grasslands on limestone in shrub-openings (Syringa vulgaris, Carpinus orientalis, Quercus pubescens, etc.). Population is fragmented, consisting of several groups of hundreds to a few thousand individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (central – near Asenovgrad town); at 500–800 m alt. Reported, probably erroneously, for Slavyanka Mt, Valley of Mesta River and Rhodopi (eastern) floristic regions, and therefore the occurrence in these localities needs confirmation.
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Threats. Harvesting of flowers for decoration, collection of bulbs for gardening; poor regeneration of species, low population density and small area of occupancy.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species under the national Biodiversity Act. The occurrence of the species in “Lale Bair” locality is designated as a Protected Site and falls within a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria
Conservation measures needed. Comprehensive investigation into the population size and dynamics, species biology and ecology and the particular threats; elaboration of an Action Plan for the species; monitoring of the population; deposition of seeds to the National Seed Genebank in Bulgaria.
References. Kitanov 1964; Delipavlov 1984; Velchev 1992.
Authors: Sonya Tsoneva & Vladimir Vladimirov
